POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Julie-Anne Diro
American Samoa - Papua New Guinea 70:49
Papua New Guinea lost their oppening game at the South Pacific Games in Samoa. They were beaten by American Samoa. American Samoa got to a flying start of the game and secured a 17:7 lead after the first frame. Papua New Guinea tried to come back into the contest as they outscored their opponents 16:13 in the second quarter and cut the gap to 23:30 at halftime. However the loss of concentration in the third term resulted in American Samoa team surging ahead and establishing a safe 56:32 lead after three terms of action. Papua New Guinea never managed to recover and lost the encounter.
Nape Waka paced Papua New Guinea with 15 points and 6 boards. Julie-anne Diro added 7 points in a loss. Derisa Taleni topscored for American Samoa with 20 points. Krista Pritchard had 15 points for the winners.
PNG: Nape Waka 15+6 boards, Julie-anne Diro 7
American Samoa: Derisa Taleni 20, Krista Pritchard 15
American Samoa - Tahiti 60:45
American Samoa dominated the scene in the second round of action. They drove to a confident victory over Tahiti and improved to 2-0 record on top of the ladder. American Samoa looked impressive early in the game as they overwhelmed their counterparts 22:6 in the opening quarter. Tahiti could not recover in the second frame and American Samoa ignited another stunning rally 17:6 to record unassailable 39:12 advantage at halftime. Tahiti finally found necessary rhythm after the intermission but could hardly threaten American Samoa lead. They won the second half 33:21 but it was not enough to celebrate an overall success.
Derisa Taleni netted 21 points for American Samoa. Latoya Marshall had 10 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Tahiti answered with 11 points from Maea Lextreyt. Alizee Lefranc finished with 7 points and 5 boards in defeat.
American Samoa converted 41% from beyond the arc and outrebounded Tahiti 25:20. They will play against Solomon Islands in the third round.
American Samoa: Derisa Taleni 21, Latoya Marshall 10+8 boards
Tahiti: Maea Lextreyt 11, Alizee Lefranc 7+5 boards
